I WANT TO CHANGE MY TITLE TO: AYATOLLAH RUHOLLAH KHOMEINI
The Islamic Revolution started because of the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi's overthrow in 1979. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, a religious man then became the leader of the revolution. He had previously been exiled because of his speeches against the Shah that caused many riots. He refused to come back until the Shah left. So when the Shah left, Khomeini soon returned to become the leader of what would become a major event in Iranian history.
Most people of an Iranian or Muslim background believe that Khomeini was a hero and someone that changed Iran for the better. That opinion tends to clash with that of Americans because we only have a "single story" or understanding of Khomeini and it is a negative one.
Marji's family seems to feel unbiased about whether or not Khomeini was a good person. It's clearly specified that they didn't like the Shah. "The day he left, the country had the biggest celebration of it's entire history, Marji says. (Satrapi 42) Her dad later says, "Let's talk about something else. Let's enjoy our new freedom!" (Satrapi 43) This shows that they were pleased the Shah had left the country.
Americans however definitely see Khomeini as a dishonorable person. When we hear that name, we immediately think trouble, many deaths, and other cynical terms. Yet, that is just a single story. After reading Persepolis, it is easier to understand that Khomeini really was changing Iran for the better, or at least greatly attempting to. In comparison to the Shah, Khomeini was a respectable person. He didn't create nearly as much conflict as the Shah did, it was the Iran-Iraq war that caused conflict, and that didn't have much to do with Khomeini.
Khomeini was truly a hero for Iranian people. He was highly respected and honored and in Iran, there is a large memorial in honor of him and his actions. When he died, 3.5 million people attended his funeral because they all wanted to see him one last time.
The Islamic Revolution started because of the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi's overthrow in 1979. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, a religious man then became the leader of the revolution. He had previously been exiled because of his speeches against the Shah that caused many riots. He refused to come back until the Shah left. So when the Shah left, Khomeini soon returned to become the leader of what would become a major event in Iranian history.
Most people of an Iranian or Muslim background believe that Khomeini was a hero and someone that changed Iran for the better. That opinion tends to clash with that of Americans because we only have a "single story" or understanding of Khomeini and it is a negative one.
Marji's family seems to feel unbiased about whether or not Khomeini was
a good person. It's clearly specified that they didn't like the Shah. "The day he left, the country had the biggest celebration of it's entire history, Marji says. (Satrapi 42) Her dad later says, "Let's talk about something else. Let's enjoy our new freedom!" (Satrapi 43) This shows that they were pleased the Shah had left the country.
Americans however definitely see Khomeini as a dishonorable person. When we hear that name, we immediately think trouble, many deaths, and other cynical terms. Yet, that is just a single story. After reading Persepolis, it is easier to understand that Khomeini really was changing Iran for the better, or at least greatly attempting to. In comparison to the Shah, Khomeini was a respectable person. He didn't create nearly as much conflict as the Shah did, it was the Iran-Iraq war that caused conflict, and that didn't have much to do with Khomeini.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayatollah_Khomeini
http://www.iranchamber.com/history/rkhomeini/ayatollah_khomeini.php